Prepared for a recent begin? How about one that truly pays you to make a transfer? These U.S. cities are rolling out the purple carpet with money incentives, welcome committees, and different perks to draw new residents in 2025.
Whether or not you’re a current grad trying to sort out pupil loans, a distant employee in search of a decrease value of dwelling, or just craving new surroundings, you’ll wish to take a look at these communities. On this Redfin article, we’ll take a better take a look at eight cities that pay you to maneuver there.
>> Learn: 8 States That Pay You to Transfer There in 2025
8 cities that pay you to maneuver there in 2025
Columbus, GA
Lincoln, KS
Muskegon + Jackson, MI
Newton, IA
Texarkana, TX + AR
The Shoals, AL area
Topeka, KS
Tulsa, OK
1. Columbus, GA
Columbus is embarking on a serious marketing campaign to draw new expertise, enterprise, and progress to the area, known as Columbus 2025. It’s a complete plan to let the nation know that there’s one thing for everybody in Columbus. A part of this advertising and marketing overhaul includes an incentive program geared toward bringing in distant staff. Money, recreation memberships, and coworking area are all up for grabs.
A hidden gem of the South, Columbus embraces each down-to-earth dwelling and fashionable conveniences. House to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, Civil Struggle historical past, whitewater rafting, and extra, there are countless issues to do all inside strolling distance. Or, for a weekend journey, you possibly can take a fast journey to close by cities like Montgomery and Atlanta. Homes solely value $200,000, too – half the nationwide common.
Initiative
Transfer to Significant
Advantages & Data
$5,000 in money, six months of coworking area, a welcome package deal, and far more.
The overall package deal is valued at $8,700.
Program Necessities
To qualify, you have to:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place
Earn no less than $75,000 per yr from a single revenue supply
At present reside no less than 75 miles exterior of Columbus
Transfer to Muscogee County inside six months of approval
How you can Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
2. Lincoln, KS
As a substitute of money incentives, Lincoln takes a singular method to draw new residents by providing free land to these trying to put down roots. Every lot ranges from 14,000 to 35,000 sq. toes and is situated inside a totally decked-out residential growth throughout the metropolis limits. Remember that you’re accountable for the prices related to constructing a brand new house, nevertheless.
But when constructing a house isn’t for you, Lincoln is made much more engaging by its inexpensive housing market. The median sale worth for houses in Lincoln County is simply $57,000.
Initiative
Free House Web site Program
Advantages & Data
Variable, as plots of land vary from 14,000-35,000 sq. toes.
Program Necessities
Whereas the Free House Web site Program doesn’t supply a stipend, they do supply free tracts of land.
To be able to qualify, you have to be a person or household relocating to or flipping a house in Lincoln, KS.
How you can Apply
Go to the Lincoln County web site for extra data.
3. Muskegon and Jackson, MI
Southwest Michigan needs you to expertise its famously snowy winters, pleasant folks, and lakeside views. Muskegon and Jackson are providing money, employment, and a big down fee help package deal for brand spanking new residents price $25,000. These cities are rebounding from Rust-Belt declines and boast inexpensive dwelling, rejuvenated downtowns, and easy accessibility to Detroit and Grand Rapids.
Initiatives
Welcome House Scholarship + 100 Properties Program
Advantages & Data
Muskegon is providing as much as $15,000 for certified academics to reside and train within the metropolis, or $7,200 for brand spanking new distant staff.
Jackson provides $25,000 in down fee help for homebuyers trying to construct a home and who qualify for the 100 Properties Program, plus different advantages.
Program Necessities
For the Welcome House Scholarship:
Be a licensed Pre-Okay-12 educator or ancillary employees (social employee, speech pathologist, and so on.)
At present reside exterior of Muskegon County
——————————————————
For the 100 Properties Program:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Earn no less than $70,000 per yr
Occupy your new house full time, excluding a lease or sub lease
At present reside exterior of Michigan
How you can Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
4. Newton, IA
The town of Newton is attracting new residents to settle into their neighborhood for the lengthy haul with a serious housing initiative. With the Get to Know Newton program, you’ll obtain a stipend quantity based mostly on the worth of the house you purchase. So, if you happen to pay $240,000 or extra for a house, you’ll obtain a $10,000 money incentive, in addition to the Get to Know Newton welcome package deal.
Newton is a small metropolis situated 30 miles east of Des Moines, with easy accessibility to the massive metropolis by way of Interstate 80. Rolling hills, dairy farms, and big-box shops butt up in opposition to a small arboretum, well-known racetrack, and some streamside parks, giving residents loads of choices. Prairies for so far as the attention can see make for unforgettable summer time nights.
Selecting Newton as your own home additionally means extra inexpensive housing. The median house worth for house in Newton is $160,000 – lower than half the nationwide median. However if you happen to’re trying to scope out town earlier than making your choice, there are many leases in Newton to think about.
Initiative
Get to Know Newton
Advantages & Data
As much as $10,000, plus extras if you happen to qualify.
Program Necessities
To be able to qualify for Get to Know Newton, you have to buy a brand new house (not only a property) inside Newton, Iowa metropolis limits.
Rental properties are excluded.
How you can Apply
Go to Newton’s official web site.
5. Texarkana, AR + TX
Texarkana is a twin metropolis situated in each Arkansas and Texas, simply 35 miles from Louisiana – a area generally known as the “three corners.” The town’s title is definitely a mashup of all three place names. Famously, Texarkana’s put up workplace and courthouse constructing straddles the state line. Technically, Texarkana, TX and Texarkana, AR are separate cities with totally different college districts and governments, however they typically perform as one.
Texarkana is trying to develop and let folks learn about its prime quality, inexpensive life-style via a profitable incentive to draw distant staff. This system known as “Redi…set…MOVE!” (or REDI), and is providing incentives price greater than $18,000. It has proved fashionable, too. As of 2024, this system had already acquired greater than 1,800 candidates.
Initiative
Redi… set… MOVE!
Advantages & Data
$5,000 in money, tuition reductions at Texas A&M Texarkana, arts memberships, breakfast with the mayor, a yr of free coworking area, and extra.
The overall package deal is valued at $18,100.
Program Necessities
To qualify for this system you have to:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal revenue of $75,000 per yr
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Transfer to Texarkana inside six months of approval
How you can Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com
6. Cities in The Shoals, AL Area
Should you’re a distant employee on the lookout for a change of surroundings, a vibrant meals scene, and riverside parks, contemplate the Shoals area in Northwest Alabama. The Shoals is made up of 4 totally different cities that border the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. All 4 are stunning and are accepting purposes for brand spanking new residents within the Distant Shoals program.
Can’t half with the hustle and bustle of city life? No worries. The Shoals is just a two-hour drive from Birmingham, Nashville, and Memphis, and an hour flight to Atlanta by way of Boutique Airways, giving you quick access to main cities.
With low property taxes and below-average home costs, the price of dwelling in these cities is considerably decrease than different equally sized metro areas within the state. However if you happen to’re having bother selecting and want to check drive every metropolis, you may also contemplate renting an house in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia.
Initiative
Distant Shoals
Advantages & Data
As much as $10,000. You’ll obtain 25% of the stipend earlier than your transfer, one other 25% six months after you relocate, and the remaining 50% one yr after your transfer.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Distant Shoals, you have to:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal revenue of $52,000 per yr
Have full-time distant or self-employed work which is predicated exterior of the Colbert and Lauderdale counties in Alabama
Transfer to Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia, AL inside six months of approval
How you can Apply
Go to the Distant Shoals web site.
7. Topeka, KS
Identified for its arts and out of doors scene, transferring to Topeka, KS, could possibly be a call that pays off in spades. The Select Topeka Initiative provides money funds and extra to distant staff transferring from out of state for an “on site” place, in addition to to distant staff who relocate so long as their employer is situated exterior of Shawnee County. Incentives high $15,000 and allow you to discover town’s fantastical Nineteenth-century structure.
There’s additionally no denying the financial savings that include dwelling in Topeka in comparison with different main cities. The median house worth in Topeka is $159,500, lower than half the nationwide median, and town boasts a ten% decrease value of dwelling in comparison with the nationwide common.
Able to make the transfer? Begin your own home search by trying up residences for lease in Topeka, in addition to houses on the market in Topeka.
Initiative
Select Topeka
Advantages & Data
As much as $10,000 if renting a house, and as much as $15,000 if shopping for a house.
Extra $5,000 for transitioning army service members.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Select Topeka, you have to:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Transfer to Topeka for a full time place (or work remotely for an out-of-state employer). You should confirm that your employer participates within the Select Topeka program
Buy or lease a house in Shawnee County inside a yr of being employed or transferring
Take part in a Select Topeka Immersion program
Full the Select Topeka survey after one yr
How you can Apply
Go to the Select Topeka web site to use.
8. Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma is paying to relocate distant staff via a program known as Tulsa Distant. With a low value of dwelling, a thriving distant work neighborhood, and numerous alternatives to discover town, it’s no marvel Tulsa has been attracting a gradual stream of recent residents. In actual fact, Tulsa Distant alone has introduced 3,500 folks to the realm and generated tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, whereas saving newcomers 1000’s. It has been remarkably profitable.
A affluent oil city, Tulsa has lots going for it. From Artwork Deco structure within the Deco District, to a gleaming museum in an Italian villa, there’s a lot to get pleasure from. Plus, if you happen to’re trying to purchase a home in Tulsa, costs are effectively under the nationwide common ($228,000 in comparison with $427,000). And thru Tulsa Distant, you’ll obtain money and different advantages to your Oklahoma relocation.
However if you happen to’re not able to make the leap to homeownership, no worries. Think about renting an house in Tulsa or testing homes for lease to get a really feel for what it’s wish to reside in Tulsa earlier than placing down roots.
Initiative
Tulsa Distant
Advantages & Data
$10,000 relocation incentive.
Renters obtain $10,000 via month-to-month disbursements. Patrons have the choice to obtain a lump sum after buying a house.
Recipients additionally obtain a one-year membership at a metropolis coworking web site, in addition to housing and neighborhood sources.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Tulsa Distant, you have to:
Be 18 years of age or older
Are licensed to work within the U.S.
Have full-time distant or self-employed work based mostly exterior the state of Oklahoma
Have lived exterior the state of Oklahoma for a full yr
Be capable to transfer to Tulsa inside 12 months of making use of
How you can Apply
Go to Tulsa Distant’s web site.
Closing ideas
As distant work continues to reshape how and the place folks reside, incentive applications provide the uncommon likelihood to spice up each your profession and private funds. With state and native governments sweetening the deal for newcomers, you could possibly end up benefitting from decrease prices, steady job alternatives, and an additional verify in your pocket. It’s a contemporary win-win: Transfer someplace that aligns together with your life-style, and let that place put money into your future. Should you’re prepared for a change of surroundings – and a possible enhance to your financial institution steadiness – these ten cities simply is perhaps your subsequent nice journey.
There are a lot extra provides and incentives for folks keen to relocate, however most others require particular schooling or different necessities. Go to MakeMyMove to see a full listing.
Disclaimer: Program particulars and housing knowledge as of February 2025. This text is for informational functions solely. Redfin doesn’t endorse any of the applications talked about. Redfin strongly recommends that customers make knowledgeable choices, and independently confirm {that a} state, metropolis, or monetary providing will meet their wants.
